October 02, 2008

We really got lucky. Looks like we're in for some sunny days in San Francisco. Here's what to expect: Sunday, 60(high)/55(low); Monday, 67/57; Tuesday, 68/58; Wednesday, 67/56. And not a hint of rain is predicted. This is what San Francisco looks like (left) on a sunny day. The shot was taken in July looking at Union Square from the Westin St. Francis Hotel. And back in July, the night-time temperatures sank into the 40s. As Mark Twain said, "The coldest winter I ever spent, was the summer I spent in San Francisco."

September 26, 2008

We'll be on the second (top) floor the Ferry Building, about a seven-minute ride from the hotel. It's a very light and airy space (notice skylight). Plus you can look down and see the wonderful boutiques and stores on the ground floor level. You should plan on getting to the Ferry Building as early as possible so you can stroll around the ground floor and even check out the ferries and other vessels gliding across San Francisco Bay. Much of the food and produce available is grown locally. But don't eat too much. A gourment tasting meal has been planned.

September 24, 2008

We just announced yesterday that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will be the conference kickoff speaker on Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. The California Democrat -- who fortunately doesn't have to travel far to speak to the magazine industry in San Francisco -- has been vocal about the financial crisis of the past 10 days. On Sunday, she said that Democrats would "not simply hand over a $700 blank check to Wall Street." AMC features a host of speakers addressing a variety of topics. But Pelosi may have the most pointed comments to make about this issue. Make sure you attend this session.

September 18, 2008

This is the top floor of the Westin St. Francis Hotel. (Obviously, not spiffed up for a fancy dinner.) Immediately following the late afternoon sessions featuring Jeffrey Katzenberg, Fortune's Andy Serwer, Dexter star Michael C. Hall and a special guest, we zoom to penthouse for a special opening-night meal and wine tasting. The 360-degree views are breath-snatching and if the weather is clear, the sunset should be spectacular. As you can see, there ceiling-to-floor windows dominate the room. Your head may spin...and it won't be from the award-winning wine.

September 09, 2008

Under the clock at the Westin St. Francis. That would be one of the logical places to meet. It's right at the main entrance to the hotel on the Powell Street side. And there's a great bar just off to the side. Another benefit: every few minutes, cable cars rumble by crammed with excited passengers.

September 05, 2008

So what is the star of pay-TV original series doing in a blog about a magazine industry annual conference? Michael C. Hall, the star of Showtime's acclaimed dramatic series "Dexter," which has its third season debut Sept. 28, will in fact be appearing at AMC on Sunday, Oct. 5. Here's the hook. To lure viewers for the show's premiere, Showtime is running full-page ads in about 12 magazines. The ads look very similar to the covers of the magazines they're in. Today's New York Times advertising column has a long story describing the unusual advertising buy. As writer Stuart Elliott notes, "Every coverlike ad depicts the actor Michael C. Hall in character as Dexter Morgan, a serial killer who kills other killers. The name of the series replaces the name of each magazine and is printed in the style of the magazine name. For instance, GQ becomes DQ (Dexter Quarterly)...The New Yorker becomes New Dexter, with a drawing of Mr. Hall by Edward Sorel, an artist who draws covers for The New Yorker." Hall, who also starred in HBO's "Six Feet Under," will take to the AMC stage and discuss the new season, his character's development, and his experiences with magazine covers (hopefully all positive and wonderful!). Showtime's CEO Matt Blank will also appear and reveal how the deal was put together and why the company decided to use magazines as a vehicle to promote the program.

September 04, 2008

Ed Kelly of American Express Publishing has just been added to the Monday morning panel "Reshaping the Model for Magazines." The panel will shed light on how some of the leading players in magazine publishing are reshaping their businesses to adapt and prosper in a dynamic new marketplace. Jack Myers will moderate. Kelly may discuss the company's events business (the Luxury Summit rocks!), book publishing and its custom publishing.

September 02, 2008

There are at least six airlines that fly nonstop from NY-area airports to SF. I've flown two (JetBlue and Virgin America) and here is one person's thoughts. Virgin: Biggest wow factor. The jets are new and sleek. Soft lighting dominates the futuristic-looking interior. The in-seat entertainment system takes air travel to a new level. There's a much larger selection on entertainment available than on JetBlue (some of it on a pay basis). Great music selection. Best of all, you can use the in-seat entertainment system to order food (for a fee) and beverages on demand so you don't have clunky carts going up and down the aisles. You can also use the system to IM passengers in other seats. However, the space between seats felt very tight. And the fold-down trays were so small they could barely accommodate my laptop computer. JetBlue: While the in-seat entertainment system lacks the bells & whistles of Virgin's, who can really complain about nearly three dozen live TV channels? The airline still offers chips and nuts, but that doesn't cut it on a 5-6 hour flight. Better brown bag it. Compared to Virgin, JetBlue's seats feel positively spacious.

August 27, 2008

If you want to learn about how TiVo and magazines can work together, read this story from today's Wall Street Journal about how Entertainment Weekly is working with the company. In a nutshell, TiVo will automatically record programs recommended by the magazine's writers. The Journal notes that the deal "could...help create a more direct connection between one of the most popular print magazine devoted to chronicling the ins-and-outs of entertainment and access to that entertainment." So what does this have to do with AMC? TiVo CEO Tom Rogers is being interviewed Monday morning, Oct. 6, at AMC. Dan Colarusso, Portfolio.com's managing editor, will interview Rogers. Expect several questions to center on this partnership and what it means for magazines.

August 26, 2008

Check out today's excellent ad column in today's New York Times about the unique way Hallmark Magazine is encouraging advertisers to buy space in the magazine. Hallmark Magazine is sending Hallmark greeting cards to advertisers (natch). The magazine is up (advertising and circ) in a down market. So what's the secret? Editor Lisa Benenson (left) will spill the beans during a Monday morning interstitial at AMC.